Since 2019 is about to come to a closure, it seems fitting for us to grieve over our losses of acclaimed eateries that have sadly departed our local shores — including those that are about to roll down their shutters for good.

Given Singapore’s competitive F&B industry with high rental fees and ever-changing consumer tastes, it is no wonder many chains have gradually lost their appeal. Though we have witnessed the rise, then fall, of well-loved establishments, rest assured there will be new, upcoming ones that are sure to take Singapore’s market by storm again!

So, brace yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions, as we announce 11 iconic eateries that we bid sayonara to this year.

#1 PABLO CHEESE TART

When Pablo Cheese Tart first opened at Wisma Atria back in 2017, we remember seeing snaking queues along its storefront; everyone wanted a piece of that coveted cheese tart. Despite major fanfare, they ceased operations in March 2019 after 19 months.

Pablo fans can still look forward to their gooey, fluffy tarts at their overseas outlets: Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Canada and Philippines.

#2 GUDETAMA CAFE

Despite opening to much hype three years ago, Gudetama Café has ended their contract with Sanrio Co., and will be shutting doors on 17 November 2019.

However, fans have one last chance before they wave goodbye to this languid egg. From 10 October to 17 November, Gudetama Café will be having a special discount on their egg-citing menu and merchandise.

Photo Credit: My Melody Cafe Singapore

#3 MY MELODY CAFE

Opened in 2018, My Melody Café is conveniently located right beside Gudetama Café in Suntec City. Just like the egg-themed establishment, My Melody Café is set to close on 17 November 2019, and will be offering discounted prices on their food and merchandise from 10 October onwards.

Sanrio-themed cafés have really taken a blow in Singapore; perhaps kawaii culture is not a hit with the locals here. We will be sad to see the hooded bunny go!

#4 BAKE CHEESE TART

Hailing from Hokkaido, BAKE Cheese Tart took the nation by storm with its cheesy goodness. Their other outlets have shut down, with remaining flagship store at Ion Orchard set to close at the end of October this year.

We will definitely miss this Japanese tart for many months to come, though this is not the end of their journey. BAKE Cheese Tart is opening sister store Croquant Chou ZakuZaku, which will occupy BAKE’s former space!

Photo Credit: Straits Times

#5 HELLO KITTY ORCHID GARDEN

Hello Kitty Orchid Garden was the first 24/7 Hello Kitty café to set up shop in Singapore! Well received by Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel fans, everyone was eager to try out their themed, Instagrammable goodies.

Yet, another one bites the dust, as we soon said our goodbyes to this well-loved feline paradise back on 8 February 2019.

#6 JPOT

Famed for their Singapore-style hotpot, Jpot is one hotpot chain we will never forget. Their signature soup broths, such as their Fish Head Soup and Jpot Superior Broth Soup, were so iconic, they remain undefeated as one of Singapore’s best hotpots!

They too, have closed down all their outlets. Their last outlet at Tampines 1 ceased operations on 16 June 2019.

#7 NON ENTREE DESSERTS

We are all familiar with Non Entrée Desserts, a café specialising in innovative, local savoury-looking desserts. During the four years they have been here, they have greatly inspired our café scene.

Sadly, they have decided to shut down the business, and their last day is on 20 October 2019. Do drop by the café and try out their desserts one last time — we promise you won’t forget it.

Photo Credit: IndoChine Supertree

#8 INDOCHINE SUPERTREE

This iconic, elevated restaurant and bar has been an al fresco dining venue for many couples, best known for its scenic views and atas food. Despite being a successful eatery, Gardens by the Bay did not renew IndoChine’s lease.

IndoChine Supertree has closed its doors end of April this year and converted to an observatory deck. Thankfully, diners can still visit their CHIJMES outlet!

Photo Credit: Yahoo News

#9 DOME CAFE

Esteemed among locals for serving homely Australian cuisine and coffee for over 20 years, many Dome Café regulars were sad to see them leave. They were even one of the first few cafes serving specialty coffee!

Dome Café originally had five outlets in Singapore, and their last branch at Parkway Parade officially pulled down its shutters on 23 June 2019.

Photo Credit: Burpple

#10 CHILI’S

We have witnessed the closure of various fast food chains and overseas diners in Singapore, and now Chili’s has joined its ranks. The American casual dining chain originally had four outlets here, but they have closed all of them as of 24 March 2019.

Photo Credit: Straits Times

#11 GLORY CATERING PERANAKAN RESTAURANT

Acclaimed for their Nyonya dishes, popiah and kueh, Glory Catering Peranakan Restaurant has finally decided to call it a day after six decades of operating the eatery. Though they have shut their doors on 31 August 2019, the folks here are still providing catering services!

This iconic Katong restaurant will always remain in our hearts, and we will miss heading there for their traditional comfort food.

Time and time again, we turn to Chope to make restaurant reservations on the go. Their easy-to-use platform takes the fuss out of an otherwise tedious process, bringing us to our next meal almost seamlessly.

While we all know and anticipate discount deals, Chope is now offering permanent dining deals—which means extra savings, extra meals and extra benefits all year round. All of these are just one tap away via Chope’s reservation app, or on the Chope Deals’ Page.

You simply have to pre-purchase Chope Deal’s dining vouchers and to enjoy 50% off at over 350 top restaurants in Singapore.

On top of that, from now until 14 September, all JUMBO outlets on Chope are offering a whopping 50% on for their off-peak dining vouchers. That’s half the price! Excited? We sure are! With such unbelievable savings, it’s time to plan for a meal with friends and family now.

Here are 5 of the participating restaurants under JUMBO Group X Chope Deals promotion. In other words, (at least) five great meals await!

CHUI HUAY LIM TEOW CHEW CUISINE

Boasting a classy interior with overtones of traditional Chinese decor in the 170-year-old Chui Huay Lim Club along Keng Lee Road, Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine pays tribute to the finest of Teochew cuisine while keeping things simple and delicate.

Served cold and filled to the brim with yellow roe, their signature Teochew Cold Crab will be sure to please crab lovers. For a greater variety of dishes all on a single plate, the Chui Huay Lim Teochew Classic Platter is highly recommended as it comes with a choice of 4 of their exceptional appetisers—Teochew Braised Duck, Deep Fried ‘Ngoh Hiang’ Rolls, Deep Fried Traditional Teochew Liver Rolls and Teochew Pig’s Trotter Jelly.

Get discounted vouchers to Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine here.

190 Keng Lee Road
Chui Huay Lim Club #01-02
Singapore 308409
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Fri to Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Newton

JPOT TAMPINES 1

Among the slew of hotpot chains everywhere in Singapore, what makes JPOT special is its uniquely Singapore concept. They offer local flavours such as Bak Kut Teh and Laksa soup bases here

They have a large variety of ingredients and we particularly loved their Fried Beancurd Skin and Fried Fish Skin as well as their Enoki Mushrooms Wrapped In Beef Short Rib. If you want to make your experience more worthwhile, remember to order their Seafood Platter, which comes with ingredients such as Live Prawns, Sliced Toman Fish, Handmade Prawn Balls, Fresh Scallops and even Live Geoduck Clam.

Get discounted vouchers to JPOT Tampines 1 here.

10 Tampines Central 1
#03-16 Tampines 1
Singapore 529536
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

JUMBO SEAFOOD

Hailed as one of the top seafood restaurants in Singapore, this home-grown brand has built a stellar reputation for itself with their Award-winning Chilli Crab and their wide selection of quality seafood offerings, since 1987.

Over the years, JUMBO Seafood has garnered many prestigious accolades—both for service and culinary mastery—highlighting the brand’s simple philosophy of offering diners the best seafood cuisine that Singapore has to offer.

We paid a visit to their restaurant in Dempsey Hill, which is surrounded by calm and lush greenery, giving all who dine there an intimate and cosy experience. We simply could not resist diving into their award-winning Chilli Crab in all its sweet, spicy glory, as well as their Signature Black Pepper Crab, Fried Live Prawns with Cereal, and Steamed Codfish with Dried Chilli and Preserved Radish, and the ‘Mee Goreng’ Fried Noodles Malay Style.

Get discounted vouchers to JUMBO Seafood here.

Block 11 Dempsey Road,
Dempsey Hill, #01-16,
Singapore 249673*
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Road
Other JUMBO Seafood outlets at East Coast, NSRCC, The Riverwalk and Riverside Point.

NG AH SIO BAK KUT TEH

Starting out as just a humble stall in the 1950s, this Bak Kut Teh chain has since expanded to having 4 outlets in Singapore and even 1 in Taipei. What NG AH SIO Bak Kut Teh offers is essentially Teochew-style Bak Kut Teh—one that boasts the robustness of white pepper and garlic.

NG AH SIO Bak Kut Teh remains as a firm favourite amongst locals and tourists alike and you know you can always rely on them to satisfy all your Bak Kut Teh cravings.

Get discounted vouchers to Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh here.

208 Rangoon Road, Hong Building
Singapore 218453*
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park
Other outlets at Keng Lee Road, Marina Bay Sands, and Resorts World Sentosa.

SINGAPORE SEAFOOD REPUBLIC

Singapore Seafood Republic offers some of Singapore’s best-loved seafood dishes under one roof. Located within Sentosa, it makes for the perfect place to dine with your family and friends.

Take advantage of Chope’s promotions to treat yourself to over 70 signature dishes. We recommend going for their quintessential Singapore-style Chilli Crab, as well as their Salted Egg Golden Prawns that has received numerous accolades and awards.

Get discounted vouchers to Singapore Seafood Republic here.

26 Sentosa Gateway
Festive Walk
#02-138 Resorts World Sentosa
Singapore 098138
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

 This post was brought to you by Chope.